How long does the train from Oslo to Stavanger take?

According to train operator Go-Ahead Norway, the journey between Oslo and Stavanger takes about 8 hours, depending on the departure and the number of stops along the way.

Where does the Sørlandet Line go?

The Sørlandet Line runs from Oslo, via Kongsberg and Kristiansand, to Stavanger, through Telemark, inner Agder, and Jæren.

Is the Sørlandet Line a scenic train journey?

Although less well-known than the Bergen Railway and the Flåm Railway, the scenery is beautiful, with Kongsberg’s forests and mining history, dramatic tunnels, and Jæren's open coastal landscape. It's a quieter, more understated type of natural beauty than the fjord railway lines, but worth the trip.

Are there night trains from Oslo to Stavanger?

Yes, there is a night train with sleeping compartments between Oslo and Stavanger, along with several daily daytime services. If you want your own compartment, book well in advance, as they tend to sell out quickly, especially in high season.

Who operates the Sørlandet Line?

Go-Ahead Norway has run passenger trains on the Sørlandet Line since 2019 under the name Sørtoget, after winning an eight-year contract with the Norwegian Railway Directorate. Before that, it was Vy, formerly NSB, that operated the line.

The Sørlandet Line (Sørlandsbanen)

The Sørlandet Line takes you from Oslo to Stavanger in around 8 hours, through Norway's most summer-like region, often called 'the smiling south' (det blide Sørlandet in Norwegian). The journey is about 545 kilometers, was completed in 1944, and is now fully electric. From Norway's capital through Telemark's deep valleys, past a traditional silver mining town, and all the way out to Jæren's green and flat fields on the coast. One of the last stops on the way from Oslo to Stavanger is Bryne station, the town where Manchester City star Erling Braut Haaland grew up playing football.

Written by

The Fjord Tours team

3 min readUpdated: Sep 11, 2026

A modern train travels through lush greenery and open fields under a cloudy sky, showcasing a peaceful rural setting.

Quick facts

Sørlandet Line at a glance

Name: The Sørlandet Line (Sørlandsbanen in Norwegian)
Route: Oslo–Kristiansand–Stavanger
Distance: 545 km
Journey time: 8 hours
Highest point: near Meheia, 414 meters above sea level
Operator: Go-Ahead Norway
Opened: 1944 (final section), first section opened in 1871

Source: Store norske leksikon / The Norwegian Railway Directorate.

History

The Sørlandet Line has a somewhat unusual history for a Norwegian railway line. It was not built continuously; instead, it was made up of several separate lines. The full railway took more than 70 years to build, from when ground was first broken in 1871 until the last section between Kristiansand and Stavanger was completed in 1944.

The route and highlights

From Oslo, the train first goes to Kongsberg, an old mining town that was once one of Norway's richest cities, thanks to the silver discovered there in the 1600s. The silver works made Kongsberg one of the country's largest cities at the time, and the streets still echo with its rich history. If you have an hour to spare, the Lågdal Museum is just a short walk from the station and has fascinating exhibitions on both mining and local history.

The route then continues into Telemark through forests and farms to the inland areas of Agder. Between Kristiansand and Egersund, the train passes through some of Norway's longest railway tunnels, including the Kvineshei tunnel, which is over 9 kilometers long. In total, this stretch alone has 72 tunnels, a reminder of how hilly the terrain in inner Agder really is.

At Egersund, the line meets the coast, and the landscape changes abruptly from inland forest to Jæren's flat, green fields and dunes all the way to Stavanger. Jæren is home to some of Norway's best farmland, with a landscape more reminiscent of Denmark’s flat fields than the steep, mountainous Western Norway you find further north.

During the final stretch towards Stavanger, the train runs almost at the edge of the sea, with the North Sea visible to the west.

How to travel on the Sørlandet Line

Go-Ahead Norway operates the Sørlandet Line, with several daily departures between Oslo and Stavanger, plus a night train for those who want to sleep through their journey. If you want your own sleeping compartment on the night train, book early, as they sell out quickly, especially in the summer.

If you are traveling during the day, you can make many excellent stops along the way, such as spending a few hours exploring Kongsberg or Kristiansand, rather than covering the entire distance in one stretch. If you’re planning a longer journey in Norway, have a look at our tours, including the Sørlandet Line.